HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-B&A-1993-11-11 - Budget Meeting BUDGET AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
BUDGET MEETING 7 :30 P.M. NOVEMBER 11, 1993
MINUTES
Present:
Committee Members : Booth, Johnson, Berg, Romanowski
Committee Members Excused: Daley
Other Alderpersons Present: Schroeder, Hoffman, Efroymson,
Blanchard
Alderpersons Excused: Golder
Others Present:
Mayor - Nichols
City Controller - Cafferillo
Deputy Controller - Thayer
Asst. Supt. Public Works - Ferrel
Commons Coordinator - Deming
Fire Chief - Wilbur
Deputy Fire Chief - Dorman
City Chamberlain - Parsons
`./ Members of the Council Elect
Members of the Board of Fire Commissioners
Members of the media
1 . Opening Comments
Chairperson Booth stated that the 1994 Budget ground rules
will be the same as in past years, which are as follows :
A. A motion will be made to accept the Mayor's Budget
subject to all amendments
B. Five (5) members of Council will represent a quorum
C. All department budgets will have the possibility of being
amended until the adoption of the final 1994 Budget on
December 1, 1993
D. The votes on department budgets will be passed by the
majority of those members in attendance (i.e. : if ten
members are present, it would take six votes for a
majority)
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
Chairperson Booth stated that the agenda for this meeting is
as follows :
A. Mayor/Controller Budget Overview
B. Council's areas of concern for the 1994 budget
C. Specific Budget Items :
- Mayor' s Budget
- Commons Advisory
- Legislative
- Finance Department (including Traffic
Violations, Personnel, Purchasing)
- Elections
- Records Management
- Fire Department
Members of the public were asked to speak on the budget; no
members spoke.
2 . Mayor's Budget Statement - Overview of 1994 Budget
Mayor Nichols stated to the Committee that his 1994 Budget
includes the following items :
�./ A. A total Budget of $33, 017, 818 (including Water Fund -
$2,045, 295; Sewer Fund $2, 608, 844; Joint Activity Fund -
$2, 021, 178; and a Solid Waste Fund of $991, 734)
B. A General Fund Budget of $25, 350, 767
C. No lay-offs
D. No Property Tax increase
E. The following increases in Budgets as compared to 1993 :
4 . 1% increase for the Water Fund
4 . 1% increase for the Sewer Fund
7 .5% increase for the Joint Activity Fund
6 . 1% increase for the General Fund
2 . 7% decrease for the Solid Waste Fund
5. 7% increase for the total budget overall
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
7 . 4% increase in Revenues (based on increased
revenues for sales tax and County/City
agreement for Youth Development & Transit)
Mayor Nichols explained that every attempt was made to keep
the property tax at a zero increase. He pointed out that for
every $70, 000 in increases to his proposed budget, the Council
can expect a lis increase in property tax. He explained that
all department heads were in agreement with his proposals, but
he stated that the Department of Public Works budget will be
the toughest budget to discuss .
Nichols explained that the 1994 budget is the first step
toward a program budget for all departments, therefore, in
some areas it will be difficult to compare amounts with
previous years . He explained that with his 1994 budget, he
has continued his support for Community Services, Youth
Services, and Community Policing activities .
Nichols stated that one item, which was not in his 1994
Budget, and he would like Council to strongly consider this
proposal, is $10, 000 for City Employee Awards for exceptional
City service. He briefly explained the program components
included the possibility that ten ( 10) awards could be given
out for $1, 000 each to City employees . He suggested that
these awards would not be part of the base pay.
Controller Cafferillo explained to the Committee that the 1994
budget does include a Sales Tax Revenue inflation factor of
two (2%) percent, or $135, 000, but that the City will not
reach its 1993 projected sales tax revenue, due largely in
part to $180, 000 in prior period sales tax adjustments by the
State. It was noted that $1, 000, 000 of sales within the city
represents a $20, 000 increase of sales tax revenue to the
City.
3 . Alderpersons Concerns for the 1994 Budget
The following items represent the areas of concern that each
of the alderpersons raised in relation to the 1994 Budget:
Alderperson Berg presented his concerns as follows :
A. Zero property tax increase is a good goal
B. Deletion of the DPW yard waste pickup
C. Southside Center funding increase
D. Policing Program at Southside Center
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
Alderperson Hoffman presented his concerns as follows :
A. Zero property tax increase is a good goal
B. Contingency Account increase
C. Sales Tax Revenue estimate may be too high
D. Increases in new City departments (i.e. : Southside
Center) funding and not increasing budgets for City
departments
Alderperson Schroeder presented his concerns as follows:
A. Decreases in DPW part-time and seasonal maintenance
crews for City in general, and specifically The
Commons, and the cleanliness of the City
Alderperson Johnson presented his concerns as follows :
A. Zero property tax increase is a good goal
B. Trash tag and water/sewer rate increases
C. Police officer volunteer programs
D. Sales tax revenue estimate may be too high
Alderperson Efroymson presented his concerns as follows :
�✓ A. Improve outreach to the community on City
activities - dollars should be in the budget for an
outreach person
B. Parks and Recreation budget reduction
Alderperson Romanowski presented his concerns as follows :
A. Overall maintenance of the city
Alderperson Blanchard presented her concerns as follows :
A. Good start at program budget for all departments
B. Good to see a move away from other costs capitalized
C. Overall Public Works Budget including the reasons
for a "dirty city"
D. Increase needed in Engineering Department
E. Transit Budget
F. Community is fed up with all forms of government
for increasing taxes
Chairperson Booth presented his concerns as follows :
A. Zero property tax increase is a good goal
B. Capitalized items moved back into General Fund
C. Keeping City employees employed
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
D. Revenue projections for sales tax may be too high
E. Department revenue projections may be too high
F. Special Items section in budget clarified to Council
G. General Fund employees transferred to Water & Sewer
Fund
The following motion was made:
Place the 1994 Mayor's Budget of $33, 017, 818 on the floor for
discussion purposes only.
The motion passed 8-0 .
4. Mayor's Budget
The Mayor recommended a Mayor' s Department Budget for 1994 in
the amount of $68, 888 . Mayor Nichols explained that the
increase in his budget reflects the 1994 Mayor salary increase
of $6,000 to $38, 000 annually. He also stated that he has
placed $6, 000 in his contract line to fund 1994 contracts with
various agencies and committees .
A discussion followed regarding the contracting process. The
Committee asked Mayor Nichols to notify all possible agencies
of this money. The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Mayor's Department Budget be approved
in the amount of $68, 888 .
The motion passed 8-0 .
5 . Commons Advisory Budget
The Mayor recommended a Commons Advisory Budget for 1994 in
the amount of $39, 979 . Commons Coordinator Deming stated that
she supported the Mayor's recommendation for employee awards
and funding for various agencies and committees .
A discussion followed regarding various accounts within the
Commons Advisory budget. Deming stated that her new computer
and software were working well, and further training on the
equipment will continue. The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Commons Advisory Budget be approved in
the amount of $39, 979 .
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
Voting results on the motion were as follows :
Ayes (7 ) - Booth , Johnson , Berg,
Romanowski, Schroeder, Hoffman,
Blanchard
Nays (0)
Abstain ( 1 ) - Efroymson - Conflict of
interest because his wife was
paid for a performance by the
Commons Coordinator
The motion passed 7-0-1 .
6 . Legislative Budget
The Mayor recommended a Legislative Budget for 1994 in the
amount of $73, 300 . Mayor Nichols explained that the only
increase in this amount reflects the Council' s salary increase
of $5, 000 . Alderpersons ' salaries are $6, 000 each now, and in
1994, they will be $6,500 each.
A discussion followed concerning the process by which the
Alderpersons Staff Development funds can be released. The
U following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Legislative Budget be approved in the
amount of $73, 300.
The motion passed 8-0 .
7 . Finance Department/Traffic Violations Budget
The Mayor recommended a Traffic Violations Budget for 1994 in
the Amount of $62, 928 . Controller Cafferillo stated that the
only increase in the Traffic Violations budget from 1993 is a
$7,500 increase in the Office Expense account reflecting an
increase in postage. He explained that the increased postage
cost shall allow the Traffic Violations Department to have a
more effective and timely enforcement of traffic tickets . He
stated that this will not increase the number of tickets
issued, but instead improve the collection process of
outstanding traffic tickets . Cafferillo explained that
because of this increased collection process, the City' s 1994
parking ticket revenue has been estimated to increase by
$50, 000 .
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
City Chamberlain Parsons explained that because of the new
hand-held computer ticket system, her office has more time to
devote to the ticket revenue collection process. After a
brief discussion regarding various other accounts within the
Finance Department Budget, the following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Traffic Violations Budget and the
Finance Department Budget be approved in the amounts of
$62, 928, and $434, 744 respectively.
The motion passed 8-0 .
8 . Purchasing Department Budget
The Mayor recommended a Purchasing Budget for 1994 in the
amount of $30, 521 . Controller Cafferillo stated that there is
no change to Purchasing Budget compared to 1993 . He explained
that the purchasing activity for the City is shared by Deputy
Controller Thayer and City Buyer Baker. The following motion
was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Purchasing Department Budget be
approved in the amount of $30,521 .
L The motion passed 8-0 .
9 . Personnel Department Budget
The Mayor recommended a Personnel Department Budget for 1994
in the amount of $179, 136 . Controller Cafferillo explained
that all Personnel employees will be full time in 1994 . A
discussion followed concerning the 435 Contracts account.
Cafferillo explained that the Contracts line is mainly used
for the hiring of an outside labor consultant to assist and
train City staff in various City Union negotiations. He
stated that the contract is an open-ended contract.
Cafferillo explained that the intent of the City is to use the
outside consultant less and less during future negotiations .
After a brief discussion regarding the contract and Personnel
budget, the following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Personnel Department Budget be
approved in the amount of $179, 136 .
The motion passed 7-0 . Alderperson Schroeder was absent when
the vote was taken.
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
10 . Elections Budget
The Mayor recommended an Elections Budget for 1994 in the
amount of $38, 100 . Controller Cafferillo stated that the
change to this budget reflects a decrease in cost, due to the
County, for related election expenses . He explained that
there is a current opinion by the State Comptroller's office
objecting to the chargebacks by the County to the City for
indirect costs related to election expenses. He stated that
the 1994 budget amount of $34, 000 for Account 435 relates to
the payment of only direct election expenses .
Cafferillo explained that the City has not made any payments
to the County for election expenses in 1992 and 1993, but did
make payments in 1991 . He stated that if the court case is
overturned, then the City will encumber the 1993 amount to pay
the County. The following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Elections Budget be approved in the
amount of $38, 100 .
The motion passed 7-0 . Alderperson Schroeder was absent when
the vote was taken.
11 . Records Management Budget
The Mayor recommended a Records Management Budget for 1994 in
the amount of $11, 921 . Controller Cafferillo explained that
this amount reflects a State grant currently underway for
records management City-wide, administered through the Clerk' s
office. A discussion followed concerning the Equipment
Account. Deputy Controller Thayer explained that a one-time
equipment purchase will occur before the end of 1993 for the
purchase of a movable records storage unit in City Hall. The
following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Records Management Budget be approved
in the amount of $11, 921 .
The motion passed 7-0 . Alderperson Schroeder was absent when
the vote was taken.
12 . Fire Department Budget
The Mayor recommended a Fire Department Budget for 1994 in the
amount of $3, 265, 761 . Fire Chief Wilbur stated that the 1994
budget proposal reflects a year of transition for the Fire
Department. He explained that staffing plans are now in
effect to better utilize the Department's staff. He also
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
stated that he supports the Mayor' s early stages of a program
budget, as the Fire Department will also continue its ultimate
goal to a total program budget. He stated that, in 1994, he
will, with the assistance of the Board of Fire Commissioners,
take a further look at the Department and make necessary
changes to allow the department to become more effective and
efficient without jeopardizing safety needs .
A discussion concerning the 435 account for Contracts
followed. Alderperson Blanchard stated that she would like to
add $950 to the Department's budget so that a person may be
hired to take minutes at the Board of Fire Commissioners
meetings . She explained that it was difficult to operate the
Board effectively without such a person. The following motion
was made:
RESOLVED, That Account A3410-435 Contracts be increased by
$950 to reflect the hiring of an individual for stenographic
services of 10 hours a week for 1994 .
The motion passed 7-0 . Alderperson Schroeder was absent when
the vote was taken.
A discussion concerning the overtime account followed. Chief
Wilbur explained that he had requested $128, 310 for 1994
overtime. The Mayor recommended only $90, 000 in this account
for 1994 . Chief Wilbur stated that items to be cut from this
line were as follows :
- $29, 000 Quality Training Staffing Costs
- 3,592 Contract increase
- 3, 918 Staff Meetings
- 1, 800 Fire Investigations
Wilbur explained that because of improvements in staffing
schedules and employee leave problems, he felt the department
could do most of the above items within the $90, 000 allocated
by the Mayor.
A discussion concerning the Equipment accounts followed.
Deputy Chief Dorman explained the need for all the equipment
requested, including 20 new pagers and 30 sets of mattresses .
Chief Wilbur also explained that the Fire Department will be
engaged in increased code enforcement activity in 1994, which
will generate a greater revenue for the City.
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
Controller Cafferillo stated that salary increases are
reflected in the 1994 Fire Department Budget for firefighters
only, as they are the only Fire Department personnel to have
a contract in place.
After a discussion concerning other Fire Department accounts,
including the $7, 000 located in the Capital Fund for purchase
of a small fire vehicle from the Capital Reserve Account, the
following motion was made:
RESOLVED, That the 1994 Fire Department Budget be approved as
amended in the amount of $3, 266, 711 .
The motion passed 8-0 .
The next budget meeting is November 16th at 7 : 30 P.M. The meeting
adjourned at 9 :45 P.M.
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B & A COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING NOVEMBER 11, 1993
The following is a summary of Budget Adjustments :
Mayor's Recommendation for Appropriations $25, 350, 767
Increase Account A3410-435 Contracts for
increase of Steno Services for Board of
Fire Commissioners 950
Mayor' s Adjusted Recommendation as of the
conclusion of 11/11/93 B&A/COW meeting $25, 351, 717
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